Mind blowing Facts, Information & Articles

Who's who in the family?We all know who's who in our immediate family- our grandparents, fathers, mothers, brother and sister, aunts and uncles.But however does someone determine a second cousin or a cousin once removed?Niece- Daughter of your sister or brotherNephew- Son of your sister or brotherCousin, or first cousin- Child of your aunt and uncleSecond cousin- Child of your first cousin. Great-grandparents are the same for second cousin as you, but not the grandparents. Fourth cousins have the same great-great-great parents and third cousins have the same great -great grandparents.Half-

A half-sister or half-brother has either the same mother or father as you, but not both.In-law- A relative by marriage- so the wife of your son is your daughter-in-law or the wife of your brother is your sister-in-law. It refers only to immediate members of your family (your children and your brothers and sisters)

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Step- Stepmother, stepfather, stepsister, stepbrother, stepson or stepdaughter is a person who is related to you only by the remarriage of someone in your immediate family after death or divorce. For example, if a woman marriages again, her new husband will be her children's stepfather but has no blood relationship with them.Removed-A child of your first cousin is described as "once removed"' Removed shows that people are from different generations. Once removed is one generation, twice removed is two generations and so on.Coat of arms:A coat of arms is the symbol or badge of a family, person or even organization. The idea started in Europe in the Middle Ages, when knights began to add decoration between their own army and the enemy on a battlefield. It also helped people to tell knights apart in jousting contests. The designs on a ca oat of arms symbolized the achievements of the family, and were passed on from generation to generation. A coat of arms is still put together by people called heralds, and the process is known as heraldry.Parts of coat of arms:Each coat of arms has a unique combination of colours and symbols. The positions of the different features are described in special terms, such as sinister and dexter.Colours:The background or field uses one of two metals : Gold (known as or, in the language of heraldry), represented by yellow, and silver (argent), shown as white. There are five basic colours: Gules (red), Azure (blue), Sable (black), Vert (green) and Purpure (purple). Patterns called furs, such as ermine, are also used. Each colour or pattern symbolizes a special feature, such as red for bravery. Special rules dictate how these devices are used: a metal may not be placed on metal and so on.Ordinaries:The geometric designs in a coat of arms are called ordinaries.Charge, supporters and other feature:An object of the body of a shield is called a charge. It may include real and imaginary animals, often lions, eagles or dragons. At each side of the shield are the supporters, which may be animals, birds, or people. There are also be other features such as a family motto in a banner above the shield and a crest or helmet which may feature the same animals used as the charge or supporters.